Open AccessUsing schedule-correlated stimuli during functional communication training to promote the rapid transfer of treatment effects.
Author(s) -
Brian Greer,
Wayne W. Fisher,
Adam M. Briggs,
Katherine R. Lichtblau,
Lauren A. Phillips,
Daniel R. Mitteer
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
behavioral development bulletin
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1942-0722
DOI - 10.1037/bdb0000085
Subject(s) - schedule , reinforcement , psychology , generalization , discriminative model , audiology , developmental psychology , cognitive psychology , artificial intelligence , computer science , social psychology , medicine , operating system , mathematical analysis , mathematics
Prior research has shown that bringing functional communication responses under the discriminative control of schedule-correlated stimuli facilitates rapid reinforcement schedule thinning and the transfer of functional communication training (FCT) treatment effects to other therapists and settings. In Experiment 1, we extended this body of research by rapidly transferring FCT treatment effects to a caregiver, despite the caregiver's unique and lengthy history of reinforcement of the child's destructive behavior. In Experiment 2, we evaluated the degree to which FCT treatment effects transferred to another participant's caregivers when the caregivers implemented FCT with and without schedule-correlated stimuli. Rapid transfer of FCT treatment effects occurred only when caregivers used the schedule-correlated stimuli. We discuss the use of schedule-correlated stimuli within FCT procedures as a method of programming for generalization when extending treatment to caregivers.